The big-hitting, super popular UK holiday destinations - we all know where they are - are always going to be the most expensive. However, there are plenty of stunning spots around the UK which are currently flying a little more under the radar. Get off the beaten track and head to one of these quieter and comparatively more affordable locations. The difference between staying in a popular holiday spot and somewhere less well known can be hundreds of pounds.

There are other benefits too. Choosing a less popular area is better for the environment, helping to relieve some of the pressure on our trampled, over-touristed regions. And you can dodge the queues. You’re more likely to find a parking spot, a seat in the pub, a restaurant table for dinner - while at the same time you’re bringing in tourist pounds to help out local businesses in quieter locations. Everyone’s a winner.

Here are a few suggestions for areas of the UK where you can find some great value getaways. These places have all the beauty, landscape and history of many of our more well-known UK holiday destinations, but for various different reasons are sometimes a little overlooked. They might not be dirt cheap (few places in the UK are), but we think overall they offer some excellent affordable options if you know where to look.

We’ve divided the areas up into countryside, cities and coast.

North Wales

Remote, wild and beautiful, North Wales has always offered good value for money. It’s all about the landscape here, vast and sparsely populated. You’ve got epic beauty spots such as Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park and the Isle of Anglesey, plus more mountains and gorgeous valleys than you can shake a stick at. If you enjoy hikes, panoramic views and miles of secluded countryside then this is the place for you.

Lancashire

Look beyond the bright lights of Blackpool and the coast, and you’ll find a beautiful inland region of quiet Lancashire hills and ancient woodland. Head to the Forest of Bowland AONB and discover a landscape every bit as lovely as that of the adjoining Yorkshire Dales. Filled with fells, moorland, meadows and dotted with rural farms and villages of pretty stone-built cottages, it’s perfect for days spent hiking the hills and evenings with a pie and a pint in a friendly country pub.

Cumbria

By-pass the crowds which throng the Lake District and head off into the wilds of Cumbria itself. It’s England’s least densely populated county and vast acres await. There are gems like the North Pennines to explore, a spectacular UNESCO protected area of heather, peatlands, and hillside hay meadows filled with wildflowers. Hadrian’s Wall ends on Cumbria’s west coast, there’s the Eden Valley with its lush green riverside walks, and there are bustling market towns like Brampton and Penrith, where you can potter around the shops and find a nice spot for lunch.

Northumberland

Cumbria’s next door neighbour, Northumberland is an imposing land of forests, moorland and beaches. It has the other half of Hadrian’s Wall, plus more castles than any other county, a relic of its past as a battleground between England and Scotland. There are many beautiful places in the Tyne Valley, well-to-do villages with excellent cake shops and the ruins of Roman forts. Or head up to the moors with their huge skies and fast-flowing winds, bordered by Europe’s largest forest, Kielder and the enormous reservoir, Kielder Water. This northerly wilderness is a dream destination for outside adventures, spotting red squirrels, osprey and for stargazing.

Dumfries and Galloway

A simply stunning region in Scotland’s south west corner, often overlooked by visitors in a hurry to head up north to Edinburgh or the Highlands. They are missing out. Dumfries and Galloway is everything you could want from a Scottish break, all rolled into one. It could equally be in our coast category, with its miles of fabulous unspoilt coastline, but this area is also filled with pristine lochs, forests, rolling hills and some of Europe’s clearest dark skies for stargazing. It’s home to the birthplace of Robert Burns, Britain’s only triangular castle and the Galloway Forest Park known as ‘the Highlands of the Lowlands’ for its magnificent scenery.

Sheffield

We’ve all been sleeping on Sheffield for far too long. Named second-best city break in the whole of Europe by Time Out in 2023, it’s the greenest city in the UK, with 250 parks and 4.5 million trees. It’s a fantastic place for foodies, with the largest purpose built food-hall Europe, an annual food festival and a wealth of great local bars, cafes and restaurants. There are lots of cute independent shops, a thriving arts scene and the gorgeous Peak District just on the doorstep. All this while still remaining affordable.

Shrewsbury

Sitting pretty in a loop of the River Severn, Shrewsbury is a quirky market town stuffed full of with half-timbered buildings, churches and old world charm. It’s been flying under the radar for years, but iit’s one of Britain’s best kept secrets no longer - it was named one of the top 10 coolest postcodes to relocate to in 2024 by Sunday Times Style Magazine. This lovely little spot is home to some delightful riverside walks, great places for food and access to the beautiful blue remembered Shropshire Hills.

Norwich

Norwich is a hidden gem which offers good value for money. It’s friendly, compact and walkable, with a medieval town centre, attractive cobbled streets and a Gothic cathedral. It makes a great jumping off point to explore the rest of Norfolk. You can catch the train to the lovely seaside towns of Cromer and Sherringham, or spend the day exploring the beautiful Norfolk Broads and be back in town in time for dinner and a movie.

Hull

OK, hear us out. Hull’s long had a bad rap, but that’s now totally out of date. Did you know Hull has an awesome and very tasty street food market, stuffed with local delicacies sold by independent traders? There’s an award-winning aquarium and marine research centre housed in a striking contemporary building called The Deep. There’s a rich maritime history, lots of galleries and museums, and an old town of winding lanes, river views and historic old pubs. And it’s still Britain's cheapest city break.

Wells

Beautiful, historic, but somehow also affordable, Britain’s smallest city has it all. Buried in the Somerset countryside at the foot of the Mendips, Wells is a little jewel famous for its magnificent cathedral, and for the adjoining Vicar’s Close, the only complete medieval street left in England. It may be petite, but it’s packed with glorious ancient buildings, cute spots for lunch and peaceful parks and gardens. The wonderfully-named Wookie Hole is only a short hop away and Glastonbury is just down the road.

Stirling

A handsome little city in central Scotland, less than an hour by train from Edinburgh or Glasgow. Stirling is often missed off the tourist trail, but it’s a lovely riverfront spot well worth a visit, with its craggy medieval castle, the William Wallace Monument and some pretty reasonably priced holiday accommodation. Spend your days exploring the town, or follow the River Forth to the sea and explore the famous Firth of Forth, or head northward for a tramp along the picturesque Fife Coastal Path.

North Northumberland

The Northumbrian coast is one of the UK’s most beautiful landscapes. And most of the time it’s practically empty. The seaside towns of AlnmouthSeahouses, Alnwick Bamburgh or Berwick-upon-Tweed are all pretty affordable compared to many other UK coastal areas, and make great bases from which to explore the sweeping beaches of pristine white sand, impressive castles and mystical islands filled with ruined churches, and seal and puffin colonies.

Conwy County, North Wales

A gorgeous and great value stretch of the North Wales coastline. It houses the lovely little waterside towns of Conwy, which contains both a large castle and Britain’s smallest house, and Llandudno. Located on the Creuddyn Peninsula jutting out into the Irish Sea, Llandudno is a classic seaside spot, with elegant Victorian architecture, an old-fashioned pier and also a herd of wild goats which sometimes visit the town. What more could you ask for?

North Yorkshire

The North Yorkshire coast comes with handsome seaside towns, rugged cliffs and moody views over the North Sea. Locations like Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay are increasingly popular, and, although still offering pretty decent value, have seen prices on the rise of late. However there are still bargains to be found in nearby places like the grand old dame Scarborough, Britain’s first seaside resort and still imbued with plenty of faded charm, and the village of Filey, with its magnificent five mile long sandy beach.

County Antrim, Northern Ireland

A simply magical location, you’ll find world-famous locations like the Giant’s Causeway, towering castles, clifftop walks and stunning spots like the Dark Hedges (an avenue of beech trees made famous by Game of Thrones). All of this, plus spectacular Atlantic surf beaches and pretty seaside towns and villages like Ballycastle and Ballintoy Harbour. Visit County Antrim while it’s still affordable!

Pembrokeshire

With its golden beaches, secret coves and rugged cliffs they’re calling Pembrokeshire the new (and more affordable) Cornwall. Located in the south western corner of Wales, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park makes up about a third of the region. The simply spectacular coastal path takes you along 186 miles of beautiful coastline overlooking limestone stacks, tiny islands and hidden beaches. You’ll find bustling seaside towns like Tenby and Saundersfoot in the south, and head northward for the slightly quieter St Davids and Fishguard.